Matching game
Constater or établir: observe a fact or establish a finding
Match constater and établir to observations, conclusions and documents. Read the direct object to distinguish noticing a fact from establishing a finding.
- B2
- 6 pairs
- Tap to match
- Learn this in the B2 notebook →
In short
Constater records or observes a fact; établir can establish a finding or draw up a document. Constater une hausse observes an increase. Établir un lien claims to establish a relationship. Établir un rapport means prepare the report.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
A team notices longer delays, investigates a possible explanation and writes a report. All three are legitimate actions, but the verbs make different claims. The object after établir is especially important: writing a document and establishing a causal conclusion are not the same kind of achievement.
| Phrase | Reading | Example |
|---|---|---|
| constater une hausse | Observe the increase | Les relevés permettent de constater une hausse. |
| établir un lien | Establish a relationship | L’analyse cherche à établir un lien entre les variables. |
| établir un rapport | Draw up a report | Le service établit un rapport après la visite. |
Tap one on the left, then its partner on the right.
An observation is not automatically its explanation
You can observe an increase after a change without establishing that the change caused it. On constate une hausse reports the pattern. On établit que la mesure a causé la hausse adds a causal finding. The second needs the evidence appropriate to that relationship, not just the same chronological table.
Le rapport constate un écart, mais ne permet pas d’établir sa cause.
The report records a gap, but does not establish its cause.
When paraphrasing, retain the object and strength. Le document établit la liste is about compiling a list. Le document établit que… introduces a proposition the author presents as supported. The shared verb does not make the evidence claims identical.